The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation and the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar Education Fund announced the grantees for 2018, marking the third round of grants for the Education Fund.
The grantees will work to bring fishing, boating and conservation experiences and education to Hispanic families in six states.
Almost $160,000 will be provided for 15 fishing and boating programs in California, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Virginia, including nearly $78,000 in grant funds from RBFF’s George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar Education Fund.
The six state agencies are matching the grant funds, effectively doubling the grants for 2018 recipients.
“The future of fishing and boating depends on engaging younger, diverse audiences. We’re happy to provide such an amazing opportunity to help organizations in reaching the Hispanic market,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson in a statement. “And with state agencies matching the funds, the impact of each program is effectively doubled.”
Grants were awarded to six state agencies to sub-grant 15 local organizations.
Grants allocated to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will ultimately go to Daniel Hernandez Youth Foundation, Trout Unlimited South Coast Charter, Hispanic Access Foundation, Tuolumne River Trust, Coastal Watershed Council, and Captain Rollo’s Kids at Sea.
Grants to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be sub-granted to Miami-Dade Parks Recreation and Open Spaces — EcoAdventures and the YMCA of Treasure Coast.
Funds allocated to Iowa Department of Natural Resources will benefit Iowa Latino Community Center Inc., Tama County Conservation, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Dallas County.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will allocate funds to Nebraska Wildlife Federation.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will sub-grant funds to Education Plus Health (Mid-Atlantic Youth Anglers and Outdoors Program).
Grants to Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will go to Harrisonburg City Public Schools and the Hispanic Access Foundation.
“Emerging audiences, like Millennials and Gen X-ers are increasingly diverse, and the Hispanic population is expected to reach 65 million individuals by 2020,” said Peterson. “With this in mind, it’s imperative that our industry reach out to and include the Hispanic audience in marketing messages, communications and imagery.”
In 2014, Bass Pro Shops Founder and CEO Johnny Morris donated $125,000 to RBFF to start an Education Fund in honor of his friend, President George H.W. Bush’s 90th birthday.
Soon after the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar Education Fund was launched, other companies have come on board with their financial support.
The Education Fund carries out its mission of engaging Hispanic families across the United States in fishing and boating through hands-on experiences and conservation activities.
